The Intrepid Beauty of Africa & the Indian Ocean

The instantly recognizable 16th century walls and Grand Harbour of Valletta have seen many conflicts, and its diverse architecture is testament to them. Influences from the Romans, Greeks, Crusaders and British are evident in the various churches and palaces. Most noteworthy are the National War Museum, housing many military artefacts and the Casa Rocca Piccola Palace. Located in the north of the island is the silent city of Mdina, home to the Roman burial complex of St. Paul’s Catacombs.

Founded by Alexander the Great and best known for the magnificent Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the birthplace of Cleopatra VII is the cultural hub of the region, and gateway to the Giza pyramids and the River Nile. Alexandria today is a mix of ancient and modern structures, with a decidedly more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern atmosphere.

The Egyptian city of Port Said, where East meets West, has long been a key stopover in journeys connecting Europe and its colonies. The port is one of the most important in Egypt, thanks to its location close to the northern entrance to the Suez Canal, and is also seen as the gateway to Cairo. Home to the Pyramids of Giza, the last remaining wonder of the ancient world, built to honour Pharaohs of Egypt during the Old Kingdom period.

The Canal crosses the Isthmus of Suez dividing the Mediterranean from the Red Sea, and is one of the world’s most impressive man made waterways, 101 miles in length. Opened in 1869 it remains one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

home to the world’s oldest continuously inhabited monastery, set in the foothills of Mount Sinai, where – according to tradition, Moses was said to have received the Ten Commandments.

The Egyptian town of Safaga is located on the coast of the Red Sea, offering black sand beaches, and mineral springs which are said to aid recovery from some medical conditions. For a glimpse into Egypt’s past, the Valley of the Kings lies on the River Nile, near Luxor – this famed collection of elaborate tombs were hidden underground to conceal their treasures from looters, including the intact tomb of the boy king called Tutankhamun.

Jeddah is located on the shores of the Red Sea, in western Saudi Arabia, and is the starting point for pilgrims making the journey to Mecca and Medina. The city is also where the magnificent King Fahad Fountain, tallest of its kind in the world, can be found. Towering office blocks and sky scrapers sit alongside buildings laden with antique balconies, lining the stone streets and walkways of the UNESCO-listed old city of al-Balad, where the ancient souk is located.

Capital of Oman’s southern region, Salalah is known as the ‘perfume city of Arabia’, and is famous for its trade in frankincense, banana plantations, beaches and waters teeming with marine life, such as moray eels, turtles and rays. . An annual monsoon, The Khareef, transforms the desert terrain into a lush, green landscape and the waterfalls of Wadi Darbat and Ayn Athum only appear during this quite unique season between June and September.

Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is located on India’s west coast, where the iconic Gateway of India stone arch stands at the harbour. Mumbai is a busy city, and is home to India’s most creative film industry, Bollywood. Movies have become an essential part of everyday life in India, and throughout its history, Bollywood films have reflected the ever-changing morals and values of Indian culture, where many of the storylines revolve directly around Indian customs and practices.

Mormugão is located in south Goa, and is the leading exporter of iron ore in India, due to its excellent harbour. The Portuguese were among the first Europeans to enter India in 1498, and ruled the state of Goa for 450 years, influencing the design of the buildings. Goa is possibly the only state in India that has houses that were built in the 1700s, and which are still owned by the descendants of the original owners.

Located on the southwest coast of Kerala, Kochi is famous for its giant Chinese fishing nets and the exportation of spices, which has been in practise for 5,000 years – originally transported via the Silk Road; and then by sea, dominated by the Portuguese, British and Dutch, whose influences spread far and wide across India. The backwaters of Kerala are a stretch of lakes, canals and lagoons, which are home to many unique species of aquatic life.

Part of the Haa Alif Atoll, Uligamu is a settlement in the northwest Indian Ocean and is seen as the final stop for many en route to and from Thailand. Best known for their outstanding beaches, the Maldives are teeming with diverse marine life, such as sea turtles, manta rays and an abundance of tropical fish and corals. Uligamu has a very laid back way of life, and the friendly locals here incredibly welcoming and courteous.

Hithadhoo is located on the island of the same name in the westernmost of Addu Atoll, in the breath-taking Maldives. At just under 7km in length and 2km wide, this small community is rich in old customs and Islamic traditions are widely respected. The island has marshy taro fields which are unique to the Maldives, which are home to a variety of whales, dolphin, seabirds, crustaceans and fruit bats, as well as many indigenous tropical fruits and vegetables.

Located on the north-east of Mahé, Victoria is the capital city of the Seychelles archipelago. At the centre of the city stands the Victoria Tower, a national monument from the Victorian era, modelled on the clock near Victoria Station in London. Just outside the city are the Botanical Gardens, designed by the French botanist, Rivaltz Dupont, featuring exotic and endemic plants that he collected on his travels. The Botanical Gardens are also the best place to see giant Aldabra tortoises.

Second largest of the Seychelles archipelago at only seven miles long, Praslin Island was originally the perfect hideaway for pirates, but is now the epitome of a tropical paradise, with crystal blue seas and tropical forests. Home to breath-taking beaches and rare bird species, the UNESCO-protected palm forest of Vallée de Mai in Praslin National Park is dominated by granite boulders, where it is possible to see sea turtles and moray eels.

Located north east of the main island of Mahé in the Seychelles, La Digue is the epitome of a paradise island, where crystal clear waters lap the shores of white sand beaches, framed by huge granite rock formations. Inland, Veuve Nature Reserve is home to the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, of which there are only about 100 in existence, and La Digue is also visited for its wide variety of underwater marine life of various fish species, sharks and rays.

A coastal city in south-eastern Kenya, Mombasa is best known for its world class beaches, and for its historical significance. The city has seen British, Portuguese and Arab settlers, and these cultures are evident in Mombasa today. The Old Town harks back to another era, where most of the buildings date back to the 18th century and are resplendent with beautifully carved doors and balconies. Along the coast is Tsavo Safari Park, where it’s possible to see the Big Five.

A Tanzanian archipelago in the Indian Ocean, lying off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar has a rich botanical and cultural heritage, and is known as the Spice Island due to its long history of the production of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. The colourful and historic Stone Town is a World Heritage Site, with architecture of Swahili origin, and the phrase most commonly heard said by the laid back locals is ‘hakuna matata’, Swahili for ‘no worries’.

Located in East Africa, Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city, and is now seen as one of the country’s most important trading centres – having started existence as a tiny fishing village in the 19th century. Nowadays, towering modern buildings overlook the mix of traditional African, Arab, Indian and German architecture; the urban jungle of Dar es Salaam offers visitors a true glimpse into local life and the culture of the city.

Capital of Mayotte, part of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean channel between Madagascar and Mozambique, Mamadzou is surrounded by volcanic landscapes, mangroves and rainforests, overlooked by Mount Benara, and home to a beautiful lagoon. Lemurs roam freely on the well know beach at N’gouja, and the crystal clear waters here are also where turtles and a range of corals, tropical fish and manta rays can be seen.

Formerly known as Hell-Ville, Andoany is capital of the Madagascan island of Nosy-Be. Home to the rainforests and fascinating wildlife in Lokobe National Park, including the famous Black Lemurs and panther Chameleon, the area also contains the last remains of the original Sambirano jungle. Elsewhere, in the town is the charismatic Le Jardin des Sens, where locally produced honey and spices are sold.

The French colonial city of Antsiranana is located in northern Madagascar, and is an important ship construction port. However, it is best known for its two national parks. At Amber Mountain National Park, the waterfalls and lakes are home to many species of flora and fauna, including one of the world’s rarest birds of prey, the Madagascar Fish Eagle. At Ankarana National Park, the highlight is the 150 million year old Jurassic limestone formations.

Le Port Reunion, a republic of France, is located on the northwest coast of the island of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean. Renowned for its whale watching opportunities, over 20 whale and dolphin species visit the waters surrounding the island. Close by to Le Port is Bassin des Aigrettes, a sublime series of deep blue pools and ravines with tropical waterfalls; and on the site of an old lime kiln is a centre for the conservation of sea turtles.

Capital city of Mauritius, located in the breath-taking Indian Ocean, Port Louis is a colourful town with a colonial and maritime history. Whilst the island is best known for its outstanding beaches, Port Louis is home to the most famous postage stamp in the world, housed at the Blue Penny Museum. Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs and over 400 marine species, including bottlenose dolphins, tuna and marlin.

Located on the east coast of Madagascar, Toamasina is close to the islands vast rainforests, where exotic flora and fauna can be found. The town itself is a combination of palm-lined boulevards and colonial buildings, sitting alongside creole houses built on stilts. Close by is the Pangalanes Canal, a series of lakes created in French colonial times, bordered by lush vegetation, forests and mangroves on one side and the beaches of the Indian ocean on the other.

Situated at the southern tip of Madagascar, Fort Dauphin is built on a small peninsula, and the town is bordered on three sides by beaches with a backdrop of high green mountains, known locally as ‘the place of dreams’. The colonial ruins of Fort-Flacourt, used as a military base, houses a handful of cannons. Nearby is the Private Reserve of Berenty, home to lemurs, fruit bats, many bird species and also the unique spiny forest.

Maputo is capital of Mozambique, and sits on the shores of the Indian Ocean. With a Portuguese heritage, influenced by traders from Africa and Europe, the city has a diverse culture and colonial architecture based on a Mediterranean style, where wide avenues are lined with jacaranda and flame trees. Close by is the Maputo Special Reserve, created to protect the wildlife of the local area, and where majestic elephants roam amongst other African wildlife.

Named after a British naval commander who landed troops on the Zululand coast in 1879, Richards Bay is situated on what was originally a floodplain between Durban and Kosi Bay, and has the deepest natural harbour in the Southern hemisphere. Its unspoilt wetlands are teeming with wildlife including hippos, crocodiles and over 300 species of bird; and is the gateway to Zululand. Richards Bay is also close to a number of game reserves where it’s possible to see the Big Five.

Situated on the east coast of South Africa, Durban is a colourful and exciting city. Renowned for its African, Colonial and Indian influences, the city has a unique blend of cultures and architecture. The historic square in the heart of the city is where Durban began as a settlement of traders in the 19th century; close to the Kwa Muhle Museum, which features much about the impact of apartheid on the city’s residents.

Located on the East Coast of South Africa, Buffalo City, as East London is affectionately known, is a river port on the renowned Sunshine Coast, famous for its unpolluted and uncrowded beaches. Gateway to game reserves such as Camdeboo National Park, the city has its own miniature reserve, which is home to lions, tigers, zebra and a variety of bird species. The area around East London is part of the Cape Whale Route, where Southern Right whales come to give birth each summer.

Formerly recognised as Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha was officially renamed from the Xhosa language, native tongue of Nelson Mandela. A small city with a small town feel, Gqeberha is known as ‘The Friendly City’, and is renowned for its diverse marine life, where a plethora of cetaceans are known to frequent its waters, such as Minke whales, humpback dolphins, southern right whales and orcas.

Named after the plentiful supply of mussels found here, Mossel Bay is a harbour town located on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, with a significant maritime history. One of its most famous landmarks is the 800-year old Post Office Tree, founding the first Post Office in South Africa. Close by is Seal Island, home to a breeding colony of hundreds of seals and their cubs; and where dolphins can also be spotted.

The flat-topped Table Mountain – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, stands tall over the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. This iconic city is known for its lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area, full of restaurants, attractions and shops; but away from the hustle and bustle is the Kirstenboch National Botanical Garden, full of indigenous flora, including the South African national flower, the protea. Cape Town is also renowned for its Winelands region, producing world class wines.

Situated on the Atlantic coast in Namibia, Walvis Bay was founded in the 18th century as a sought after fishing town, due to its abundance of fish and whales. The waters around Walvis Bay are known for their purity, so high quality fish and crustaceans are often in high demand. The area is also renowned for dolphins and seals, but perhaps the most famous feature of are the flamingos that flock to a huge lagoon, turning the horizon a stunning shade of pink.

Lying approximately 200 kilometres off the coast of the West African country of Gabon, the little-known islands of São Tomé e Príncipe were discovered in the 15th century by the Portuguese, and many of the colonial buildings are evidence of their time here. São Tomé is alive with tropical agriculture, with coconut palms and cacao trees covering most of the island, and there is a unique eco-system with many species of animal indigenous to the region, including the rare fiscal.

Located on the south coast of Benin, Cotonou was originally a fishing village during the Dahomey Kingdom period, until the French were given permission to build a trading post and it grew exponentially from then. Today, whilst it’s not the capital city of Benin, it is seen as the de-facto capital, due to being the economic centre of the country. Places of interest here include the Saint Michel Church and distinctively striped Cotonou Cathedral.

Lomé is the capital city of Togo, and is known as the ‘Pearl of West Africa’. A thriving commercial and industrial city, Lomé also benefits from having white sand beaches and the unique Grand Marche shopping area – a three story building housing all types of wares. Away from the bustling capital, Lake Togo is part of a lagoon which is separated from the Atlantic by a small coastal strip of land, and is an important area for migrant water birds.

Takoradi is a twin city with Sekondi, in Ghana. Once a fishing village, entrenched in years of slavery and gold trading, Takoradi is now a thriving city of African culture combined with modern life. Close by is the unique water village of Nzulezu, a 400 year old stilted settlement in Lake Tadane. Life here has adapted to the environmental surroundings and all activities are carried out on the lake, including schooling and worship. The area is also home to endangered sea turtles.

Capital city of Senegal, Dakar was founded in the mid 1800’s, when the French built a fort on the site of the Place de l’Indépendance. Surrounded by water on three sides, the city has a diverse history and culture, where colonial buildings are dotted amongst skyscrapers and street markets, and the towering minarets of the unique Mosque of the Divinity stand tall, overlooking one of Dakar’s many popular beaches.

Largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is built around Mount Teide, the highest volcano in Spain. Santa Cruz is home to the eye-catching 16th century Iglesia de la Concepción and the baroque Palacio de Carta. The island has a resident population of pilot whales and several migratory species, thus making Tenerife one of the best places to whale watch in Europe.

Famous for its outstanding natural beauty, the Atlantic island of Madeira is known as the ‘floating garden’, with its array of subtropical flowers and plants – grown from the bulbs and seeds of the British merchants who came to the island after making their fortune from selling Madeiran wine. Produced since the 17th century, Madeira Wine’s historical and maritime links make for fascinating reading, of course accompanied by a glass or two of the ‘liquid history’, as described by Winston Churchill.